The term ‘Origin bolter’ gets thrown around a lot in the weeks leading up to any given series, but 2018’s dark horse might have been staring us in the face the whole time.

Exactly four months until the 2018 Holden State of Origin Series, Brydens Lawyers NSW coach Brad Fittler has thrown into the ring a player who he believes should be on everyone’s radar.

“Blokes like Josh Reynolds – who no one seems to be speaking of at the moment,” Fittler tells NSWRL.com.au. “He was there at five-eighth when they won it (in the 2014 series).

“I love watching Josh play; he’s full of energy. We just need people that are like that, just put everything they’ve got into their footy team.”

Anyone who plays with that sort of enthusiasm and passion we’ll be definitely looking at.

Reynolds, formerly a favourite son at Belmore, finds himself at a rejuvenated Wests Tigers outfit this season – and the move could be vital to his representative chances. The move comes in the midst of a big period of player turnover, with seven incumbent Blues and several Origin hopefuls also finding new homes in 2018.

“It’ll be interesting how he goes in the new team, the Tigers, but anyone who plays with that sort of enthusiasm and passion we’ll be definitely looking at.

“I think a lot of the changes (with other players) have been good changes,” Fittler adds. “If you go through the series last year, a lot of our blokes were distracted by possible change, contract talks and I think it showed in our game.

“I think it will inspire a lot of the players that may have been feeling a little bit stale if that’s the case.”

The mass changes may or may not result in a new-look side this year, with Fittler indicating that the form and ladder position of clubs will also come into considerations.

Ivan "Billy Beane from Moneyball" Cleary!
It's the Ivan of the tiger, It's the thrill of the fight...

I had a cateract taken off each eye about a year ago.
And , about half an hour ago , when I read Fittlers words about Reynolds, I thought the buggers had returned. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Either Freddys back on the booze, or it’s A rev up to some of the possible NSw players to get their act together,
He has been there before and was terrible, and he’s certainly not on the up side of his career.
I thought we were over weird idea bubbles when Loz left, apparently not

I had a cateract taken off each eye about a year ago.
And , about half an hour ago , when I read Fittlers words about Reynolds, I thought the buggers had returned. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Either Freddys back on the booze, or it’s A rev up to some of the possible NSw players to get their act together,
He has been there before and was terrible, and he’s certainly not on the up side of his career.
I thought we were over weird idea bubbles when Loz left, apparently not

Well considering he is the only NSW 5/8th worth feeding over the past dozen years, It seems Freddy has a great point. Terrible? Of course not.

Also a huge shakeup for NSW isn't really needed. They could have easily won last series it really came down to a 10-minute period in game 2 when the QLD forwards began to dominate.

NSW certainly needs a shakeup. Too many lazy players with big reps. People like Sterling, Johns and Gould should be kept at a massive armslength from the squad. They are too matey matey with guys who keep getting selected after failing so regularly. Fittler will produce a surprising squad I think and itll need to be outside of the box as Queensland's clones are already cementing their spots and gearing up for another decade of dominance.

I had a cateract taken off each eye about a year ago.
And , about half an hour ago , when I read Fittlers words about Reynolds, I thought the buggers had returned. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Either Freddys back on the booze, or it’s A rev up to some of the possible NSw players to get their act together,
He has been there before and was terrible, and he’s certainly not on the up side of his career.
I thought we were over weird idea bubbles when Loz left, apparently not

Well considering he is the only NSW 5/8th worth feeding over the past dozen years, It seems Freddy has a great point. Terrible? Of course not.

Qld would just love it if he even was a chance of being there . He had his chance and won’t be there again hopefully.
It’s bad enough to see him in WTs let alone the Blues.
Surely the Toads have had enough to laugh at over the last 10 or so years, without giving them more before even the start of the series.

Qld would just love it if he even was a chance of being there . He had his chance and won’t be there again hopefully.

Had his chance and won. More than a lot of other big names can say.

Won despite him being there
Wonder why they got rid of him
Just like the Dogs punted him.
I just hope thatIvan can get something out of him and cut down his stuff ups

Haha what garbage.

So he wasn’t dumped from the Origin side, and the Dogs couldn’t wait to get rid of him at the end of last season eh?
I hope we get some good games out of him , but you can’t rewrite history,
And you can’t change the fact that he’s been responsible for some absolutely stupid actions on a field.
As I said I hope that Ivan can make him a bit more reliable .
He’s a long way away from Origin though , I hope.